Ga Tech blows 14-point lead, loses to Virginia Tech 23-21

Virginia Tech gave coach Frank Beamer his first retirement gift, rallying from an early 14-point deficit to beat Georgia Tech 23-21 on Thursday night and move a step closer to becoming eligible for a 23rd straight bowl appearance.

After the Yellow Jackets fumbled it away on two straight possessions in the fourth quarter, the Hokies (5-5, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) grabbed their first lead on Travon McMillian’s second touchdown, a 4-yard run with 6:58 remaining. It was also key for their hopes of keeping the 22 year bowl game streak alive; at 5-5 the Hokies now just need to win one game against the surprisingly competent North Carolina Tar Heels and perpetual doormat Virginia Cavaliers, a much easier task than going for the sweep.

As he walked off the field with his 278th career victory, the small Virginia Tech contingent saluted him with chants of “Beamer!”

When Chuck Clark tried to rip the ball out, offensive guard Errin Joe came in to level the Hokies safety.

“We’ve got to do a better job”, he said.

When the Hokies got in the red zone in the third quarter, the Jackets held them to a field goal.

The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, only to see the Hokies score two unanswered touchdowns in the last six minutes of the second to knot the score at 14-all entering the half.

The season started well enough for the Yellow Jackets with relatively easy wins against Alcorn State and Tulane, but then a loss to Notre Dame sent the team into a tailspin as Georgia Tech proceeded to lose five consecutive games. Marcus Allen rushed for 75 yards but had the fumble that set up the Hokies’ winning score.

During the week, defensive coordinator Bud Foster of Virginia Tech said that it sometimes takes his unit a possession or two to get in rhythm against Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense.

The Yellow Jackets turned that gaffe into another 4-yard touchdown, off a pitch to Clinton Lynch that put them up by two touchdowns with a minute left in the opening period. “I thought the defense, after the beginning, played great”.

Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) can’t reach the ball as Georgia Tech’s D.J. White defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, November 12, 2015, in Atlanta.

Quarterback Michael Brewer, who completed 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards in the quarter, found receiver Cam Phillips on third-and-1 from the Hokies’ 31 for a 14-yard pass play. The Yellow Jackets offense managed just 115 yards for the rest of the game. McMillian led all rushers with 135 yards on the ground, throwing in a pair of touchdowns for good measure.

In the locker room afterward, the team presented Beamer with the special teams game ball – and he broke out a few dancing moves.